5 Different Types of Printers [All you Need to Know]

Different Types Of Printers

Technology is ever evolving and staying up to date with it is a difficult task. Whether you are a student or work at an office, you almost use a printer on a daily basis. But how much do you really know about them?

Knowing that might seem like useless information but it’s not when you go out to buy one but you have no idea which is the best type of printer that will fulfill all your needs. Because there are new and improved models being launched every year. And it all becomes a little too overwhelming at times.

Which is why we thought that this guide might be helpful for you to be informed on the various printers in the market and which one is the better type of printer to get for yourself.

What to Look for in a Printer

Although all printers serve a basic function but there are some aspects or features that you need to keep in mind.

1. Cardstock Printers

Honestly, this is the most important thing to look for in a printer; whether they can print on cardstock or not. Not all printers work as cardstock printers so you need to keep an eye out for that. Trust me, these kinds of printers can definitely make your lives easier. You can print birthday cards and wedding invitations at home, on your design of choosing. I know all that sounds really attractive in a printer so check to see if the one you’re buying work as cardstock as well.

For reference, check out our list of the best cardstock printers .

2. Specs

The basic features to look out for is the print speed, print quality, the type of ink they use and the type of paper they can print on. Ie. whether or not they function as cardstock printers.

3. Price

Price is an important aspect of it. Some printers don’t offer much in functionality but have higher prices. So check out their specs and features and compare them with other brands of printers to see if they are actually worth the price.

The 5 Types of Printers

All the different kinds of printers can be categorized into 5 main types:

Inkjet
Laser
Solid Ink
LED
Dot Matrix

If you want to find out the details of these then go for the long version and just Keep Reading!

Inkjet Printers

These are the most commonly used types of printers and are considered as the best types of printers for home use. Since it can recreate digital images it is the preferred type for cardstock printing.

PROS	CONS
✅ Quieter in operation	❌ Some inkjet printers have a faulty communicating microchip
✅ Require no warm up time	❌ Have narrow inkjet nozzles that can get clogged
✅ Industrial types can print in higher speeds and wide formats	❌ The ink used is very expensive

This one is just a blanket under which falls several other types of inkjet printers, especially the cardstock printers because those are highly popular amongst the masses.

Even in inkjet printers, find the one that offers multifunctionality ie. it can print, scan and copy. This is helpful, especially if you work in an office. The initial cost might be more, but you save overall.

But if you’re a photographer, professional or just a hobbyist, then you should definitely check out the photo inkjet printers. They can scan and copy as well but they also print out high quality photos.

Or you could just go for the simple option of a single-function printer that prints in black & white, is very easy to use and is obviously the more affordable option.

Laser Printers

Laser printers are also known for digital printing and can therefore produce high quality text and graphics. Which allows some of these to function as very capable cardstock printers. This is possible due to the repeated passing of a laser beam back and forth.

PROS	CONS
✅ Works very fast	❌ High initial cost
✅ Has a low running cost	❌ Toner clean up is very dangerous
✅ Long term non-printing effect will not change	❌ Releases harmful nitrogen oxides that can harm the environment
✅ Suitable for mass printing

Laser printers typically work best for a larger work space or an office. They also come in several options like Monochrome – which are more affordable and print faster in one colour & Colour Laser Printers – which require 4 cartridges and produce thousands of high quality prints. Most of these are hp printers

Solid Ink Printers

If you want a more environmentally friendly option then this is the way to go. Most of these are compact and portable and can produce high quality and intensely coloured documents.

PROS	CONS
✅ Non toxic vegetable oils are used for the ink	❌ Takes time to warm up
✅ Environmentally friendly	❌ The colour of the print may fade over time
✅ Bright coloured prints	❌ Consumes a lot of power
✅ Small and portable
✅ Safe and easy to use

LED Printers

As the name suggests, it uses LEDs to produce a document. The led bar pulse-flashes across the whole page to print. In a lot of ways, these are the best types of printers to use because of their efficiency and functionality.

PROS	CONS
✅ Faster than laser printers	❌ If used for shorter jobs, the life of the appliance may be shortened
✅ Goes through less mechanical wear because of fewer moving parts	❌ Need to be used for greater volumes to achieve its full speed
✅ Are cheaper and more efficient	❌ Resolution may not be as good
✅ More compact

Dot Matrix Printer

This one is an impact printer that uses a fixed number of pins or wires to produce the results. This can serve a variety of different work environments. Even though it is not used by many today and so are difficult to find on the market, DMP are very useful.

PROS	CONS
✅ Low maintenance cost	❌ Low resolution output
✅ Low initial cost	❌ Pins can bend easily
✅ Works in all conditions	❌ Is prone to paper jams
✅ Inexpensive cartridges

Which Printers To Use For Cardstock Printing?

There is no one specific type of printer that can do that. There are a variety of options available in the market which work as cardstock printers as well. At the end of the day, it comes down to your personal preference. But mostly, the best printers for cardstock are mostly Inkjet Printers and Laser Printers.